1. Thesis Statement Advanced Placement World History New Manchester High School Mrs. Jackson

2. Getting it Right ○ States the purpose of you paper ○ Controls, asserts, and structures your argument ○ The most difficult sentence to formulate!

3. State Your Thesis Correctly ○ Conveys to the reader the points and/or arguments you wish to make ○ Serves as a road map, giving the direction of the argument and the paper ○ Thesis will answer the question “What is this essay about?” ○ It announces your position toward the topic

4. Get the Sound Right ○ Make sure your thesis statement is identifiable ○ Use words and language that is firm and definitive

5. Know Where to Place Your Thesis ○ Usually appear at the end of the first paragraph of your essay ○ Reword and restate thesis in your conclusion

6. Limit a Thesis Statement to One or Two Sentences ○ Thesis statements are clear and straight to the point ○ Reader should be able to identify the topic and your position quickly.

7. Know the Type, Purpose, and Audience of the Paper ○ You will be writing three types of essays (document based question, comparative, and continuities and changes over time), that will be read by other AP World History teachers. ○ You will also be graded on a rubric, so be aware of the rubric and the requirements ○ We will go into depth about the types of essays you will write, and you will have lots of practice writing as the year progresses.

8. Keep Your Thesis Statement Narrow in Scope ○ Address a single issue in detail ○ Your points must be fully supported in the body of the paper.

9. Follow a Rigid Structure ○ Thesis is a formula or pattern that holds your ideas, for example: ○ [Something] [does something] because [reason(s)]. ○ Because [reason(s)], [something] [does something]. ○ Although [opposing evidence], [reasons] show [Something] [does something]. ○ Be aware of all counter-arguments against your thesis as well.

10. Write Down Your Thesis ○ A preliminary (early) thesis will get you with the following: ○ Getting on the right track ○ Developing ideas ○ Clarifying content of the essay ○ You will be able to think about your thesis logically, clearly, can concisely ○ When to write your thesis – 2 schools of thought ○ Before you begin writing the essay, so you have your idea in mind (you can alter it at the end ○ After formulating your thoughts and arguments, only then will you know what you wrote about.

11. Thesis “No-Nos” ○ Never ask a question as your thesis, you are answering a question, not asking on with your essay. ○ A thesis is not a list, keep it short and simple ○ Do not state something in a thesis that is not addressed in the essay ○ NEVER write in first person (do not use I, or you in your paper) ○ Don’t be combative – you want to convince someone of your position not bully them into seeing your position

12. Your Thesis Does NOT Have to be Absolute ○ Consider your thesis a ‘work in progress’, as you write you may change your opinion ○ Once you finish your essay, re-read the entire thing, keeping your thesis in mind ○ Make any changes to the thesis after proofreading your essay.

13. Reminders ○ An effective thesis statement controls the entire argument. ○ Think of your thesis as a case a lawyer has to defend. ○ A thesis statement should explain to your readers the case you wish to make and how you will accomplish that.